Bangkok Warehouse Goes Green for Terrarium-Inspired Restaurant

Thai design agencyHypothesis was the mastermind behind Vivarium, a Thai-Japanese fusion restaurant in Bangkok. Aiming to inject life and energy into a former warehouse, the design team came up with the concept of a terrarium for the unconventional eatery.

A lush “greenscape” of plants cascades from the double-height ceiling. The design theme of this terrarium-inspired restaurant is reflected in its name; Vivarium means “container of life.”

To emphasize the building’s industrial characteristics, most of the existing structure was unchanged. The designers kept the original white color in the old space, while the additions were painted with red primer, highlighting the contrast between old and new.

To minimize the renovation budget, the designers used objects found around the site — iron doors, steel pipes, tree branches and roots — as decorative elements, and scaffolding as shelves. The project won this year’s INSIDE World Festival of Interiors award in the best bars and restaurants category. [Photos and information provided by Hypothesis]